Blueberrey plant named &#39;FF04-14&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘FF04-14’ is provided. The variety is produced from a cross of ‘FL00-45’ (female parent, unpatented) by ‘FL97-130’ (pollen parent, unpatented), which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/965,614 filed on Feb. 3, 2014, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety as though fully setforth.

LATIN NAME OF THE FAMILY, GENUS, AND SPECIES

Family—Ericaceae.

Genus—Vaccinium.

Species—corymbosum hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘FF04-14’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery of a new and distinctcultivar of southern highbush blueberry known as a Vaccinium corymbosumhybrid referred to as ‘FF04-14,’ as herein described and illustrated.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘FF04-14’ was selected in Lowell, Oreg.in 2006. Plants of ‘FF04-14’ is a commercial variety intended for thehand harvest fresh market. The variety is vigorous, highly branched andleafy and produces a high yield of large fruit. ‘FF04-14’ has anestimated chilling requirement of 300-500 hours, but also produces highfruit yields in an evergreen production system with zero chill hourswhen the plants are not allowed to enter dormancy.

PEDIGREE AND HISTORY

The new blueberry plant originated from a cross of ‘FL00-45’ (femaleparent, unpatented) by ‘FL97-130’ (pollen parent, unpatented). The newblueberry plant variety ‘FF04-14’ has been planted in replicated trialssince 2008.

The new variety can be compared to commercial variety ‘Springhigh’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 16,404) in that ‘FF04-14’ has larger fruit that ripenslater.

The new variety can be compared to commercial variety ‘Jewel’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 11,807) in that ‘FF04-14’ has larger, firmer fruit thatripens slightly later.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘FF04-14’ has maintained itsdistinguishing characteristics throughout successive asexualpropagations. The variety has been repeatedly asexually reproducedthrough softwood cuttings in Lowell, Oreg., and the clones arephenotypically identical to the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new blueberry plant variety ‘FF04-14’ has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhatwith variations in environment and cultural practices such astemperature and light intensity without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed in Lowell, Oreg., andare determined to be the unique characteristics of the new blueberryplant variety ‘FF04-14’:

-   1. Vigorous plant with upright/round stature.-   2. Large fruit-   3. High yields

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens infull color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘FF04-14’. Thecolors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a colorrepresentation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘FF04-14’, taken Aug. 9, 2012;near Lowell, Oreg.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the upper and lower surface of fruit of thenew variety ‘FF04-14’ taken Jul. 13, 2012; near Lowell, Oreg.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the flowers of the new variety ‘FF04-14’,taken May 5, 2012; near Lowell, Oreg.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the abaxial and adaxial sides of leaves of thenew variety ‘FF04-14’, taken Jul. 13, 2012; near Lowell, Oreg.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘FF04-14’. The data which defines thesecharacteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the originalselection. Dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics areapproximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. Theplant history was taken on plants approximately 5 years of age and thedescriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Lowell, Oreg. Plantsof ‘FF04-14’ have also been observed near Delano, Calif., Tala, Jalisco,Mexico, and Colima City, Colima, Mexico. Where descriptions differsignificantly between Lowell, Oreg. and other locations, reference hasalso been made to 2 year old plants in Colima, MX, and 3 year old plantsin Delano, Calif. Color designations are from ‘The Pantone Book ofColor” (by Leatrice Eiseman and Lawrence Herbert, Harry N. Abrams, Inc.,Publishers, New York, 1990). Where the Pantone color designations differfrom the colors in the photographs, the Pantone colors are accurate.

-   Classification:    -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.        -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.        -   c. Species.—corymbosum hybrid.        -   d. Common Name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry.-   Parentage: Female parent — FL00-45 (unpatented). Male parent —    FL97-130 (unpatented).-   Market Class: ‘FF04-14’ is a commercial variety intended for the    hand harvest fresh market.-   Plant:-   Plant size:    -   -   a. Height of plant.—Average 43″.        -   b. Canopy diameter.—Average 34″.-   Growth habit: Upright, round-   Plant vigor: Vigorous-   Twigginess: Low-   Suckering: Low-   Evergreenness: Evergreen in Oreg.-   Chilling requirement: Approximately 300-500 hours-   Cold hardiness: Approximately USDA hardiness zones 7-9-   Productivity: In Colima, Mexico on one year old plants average 1.43    kilos per plant. In Delano, Calif. on 4 year old plants average 7    lbs per plant.-   Propagation: Easy to propagate from softwood cuttings-   Disease resistance/susceptibility:    -   -   a. Root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi).—Does not appear to be            susceptible.        -   b. Stem blight (Botryosphaeria spp).—Does not appear to be            susceptible.        -   c. Phomopsis twig blight (Phomopsis vaccinii).—Does not            appear to be susceptible.        -   d. Botryosphaeria stem canker (Botryosphaeria            corticis).—Does not appear to be susceptible.        -   e. Bacterial cane canker (Pseudomonas syringae).—Does not            appear to be susceptible.        -   f. Botrytis blight (Botrytis cinerea).—Does not appear to be            susceptible.        -   g. Leaf spot (Septoria spp.).—Does not appear to be            susceptible.        -   h. Leaf rust (Naohidemyces vaccinit).—Does not appear to be            susceptible.-   Survival: Good-   Wood:-   Texture:    -   -   a. Surface texture new wood.—Smooth.        -   b. Surface texture 1 year wood.—Smooth turning rough.        -   c. Surface texture 3 year wood.—Rough.-   Color:    -   -   a. Color new wood.—Pantone color Green Banana 14-0434.        -   b. Color bark 1 year.—Pantone colors Green Oasis 15-0538 and            Mahogany 18-1425.        -   c. Color bark 3 year.—Pantone colors Shell 13-1405, Pinecone            19-1121 and Camel 17-1224.-   Internode length: Average 20.95 mm-   Dimensions:    -   -   a. Leaf length.—Average 60.82 mm.        -   b. Leaf width.—Average 27.15 mm.-   Leaf shape: Elliptical with acute apex and base-   Leaf margin: Slightly crenulate-   Color:    -   -   a. Leaf color upper leaf surface.—Pantone color Black Forest            19-0315.        -   b. Leaf color lower leaf surface.—Pantone color Water Cress            17-0220.-   Pubescence:    -   -   a. Pubescence upper leaf surface.—Absent.        -   b. Pubescence lower leaf surface.—Absent.        -   c. Pubescence leaf margins.—Absent.-   Petiole:    -   -   a. Petiole length.—Average 1.69 mm.        -   b. Petiole color.—Pantone color Mellow Green 12-0426.        -   c. Petiole surface texture.—Smooth.-   Leafing vs. flowering: Flower bud break and vegetative bud break    occur at approximately the same time in Lowell, Oreg. Flowers    persist through initial vegetative growth period.-   Flowering arrangement: Alternate-   Immature flower color: Pantone colors Pastel Parchment 11-0603 to    Pastel Yellow 11-0616 and Hollyberry 17-1633-   Fragrance: Sweet-   Flower shape: Cylindrical-   Flower length: Average 12.97 mm.-   Pedicel:    -   -   a. Pedicel length.—Average 10.9 mm.        -   b. Pedicel color.—Pantone color Green Olive 17-0535.-   Peduncle:    -   -   a. Peduncle length.—Average 14.87 mm.        -   b. Peduncle color.—Pantone colors Mellow Green 12-0426 and            Green Oasis 15-0538.-   Pollen:    -   -   a. Pollen staining.—Staining with acetocarmine:            approximately 90%.        -   b. Pollen abundance.—Moderate.        -   c. Pollen color.—Pantone color Pale Banana 12-0824.-   Corolla:    -   -   a. Corolla length.—Average 9.12 mm.        -   b. Corolla diameter.—Average 7.2 mm.        -   c. Corolla aperture.—Average 4.65 mm.        -   d. Corolla color.—Pantone color Pastel Parchment 11-0603.        -   e. Corolla texture.—Smooth, with ridges at petal junctures.-   Style Length: Average 7.42 mm.-   Calyx:    -   -   a. Calyx diameter.—Average 5.92 mm.        -   b. Calyx surface texture.—Smooth.        -   c. Calyx color.—Pantone colors Green Olive 17-0535, Peridot            17-0336 and Holly Berry 17-1633 on tips of some sepals.-   Pistil color: Pantone color Green Oasis 15-0538-   Flowering cluster: Loose-   Flowering period: In Lowell, Oreg., flowers from mid to late April    through late May-   Number flowers: Average 6-7 in Lowell, Oreg.-   Stigma location: Average 1.07 mm below lip of corolla-   Anther:    -   -   a. Anther length.—Average 2.74 mm.        -   b. Anther color.—Pantone colors Autumn Leaf 17-1347 and            Sierra 18-1239.-   Self-compatibility: Moderate. Approximately 55% of self-pollinated    flowers reach maturity.-   Berries:-   Mean harvest date: Begins to ripen around 15 January in Colima, MX    and 5 May near Delano, Calif. Not very productive in Oreg.-   Mean date last pick: Typically harvest ends by 30 April in Colima,    MX and approximately 5 June near Delano, Calif.-   Quantity berries per cluster: Average of 6 in Oreg. and 9 in Colima,    MX-   Calyx:    -   -   a. Calyx aperture.—Average 7.22 mm.        -   b. Calyx lobes.—5 moderately distinct lobes.        -   c. Calyx depth.—Average 0.82 mm in Oreg. Very shallow in            Oreg., moderately shallow in Central Mexico.-   Berry cluster: Loose-   Berry pedicel:    -   -   a. Length.—Average 9.93 mm        -   b. Surface texture.—Smooth-   Berry peduncle:    -   -   a. Length.—Average 18.89 mm        -   b. Surface texture.—Smooth-   Berry detachment: Moderately easy-   Berry weight: Average 2.93 g in Oreg.-   Berry height: Average 15.41 mm in Oreg.-   Berry width: Average 18.54 mm in Oreg.-   Berry shape: Oblate-   Berry skin color:    -   -   a. Immature berry color.—Pantone colors Leaf Green 15-0332,            Piquant Green 17-0235 and some Crimson 19-1762 on calyx.        -   b. Berry skin color on plant.—Pantone color Dapple Gray            16-3907.        -   c. Berry skin color after harvest.—Pantone colors Dapple            Gray 16-3907 and India Ink 19-4019.        -   d. Berry skin color after polishing.—Pantone color Dark Navy            19-4013.-   Berry wax: Moderate wax and moderately persistent-   Berry flesh color: Pantone color Citron 12-0524-   Pedicel scar: Moderate in size, average 1.59 mm in Oreg. Scar is    larger on fruit from current season's growth in Colima, MX.-   Berry firmness: Medium in Lowell Oreg., good to excellent in Colima,    MX.-   Berry flavor: Sweet, low acidity-   Berry texture: Smooth-   Seed:-   Seed color: Pantone color Bran 17-1336-   Seed length: Average 1.66 mm-   Seed width: Average 1.02 mm-   Seed weight: Average 0.5 mg-   Quantity seeds per berry: Average 17 in Oreg.

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘FF04-14,’substantially as illustrated and described herein.